This year’s holiday card, illustrated by Toronto artist Laura Watson, looks a little different — and a little furrier. Front and centre are three of our beloved PAWS therapy dogs: Cooper, Ceili, and Winston, dressed in festive touches and captured in a simple, heartwarming illustration. The joyful scene reflects the comfort, calm, and unexpected moments of happiness these dogs bring to families staying with us while their child receives life-saving medical care. Because at Ronald McDonald House Toronto, comfort comes in many forms — and sometimes, it arrives on four gentle paws.

Why PAWS Visits Mean So Much

Families who stay with us often describe their days as long, heavy, and emotionally exhausting. A visit from our PAWS therapy dogs can change the atmosphere instantly. A child lights up. A parent exhales. A hallway feels brighter. A room feels more like home.

Cooper offers steady calm. Ceili brings gentle sweetness. Winston struts in like a cheerful old soul, certain everyone came just to see him. Each dog brings something different, but together, they remind families that comfort can be simple, surprising, and deeply healing.

More Than Dogs — Part of a Bigger Circle of Care

While PAWS visits bring unmistakable magic, they are just one part of the care families receive here. Comfort also comes through a warm, nourishing meal, a quiet place to rest, programs that spark creativity and connection, volunteers who fill the House with kindness, and a community that shows up when it matters most. These big and small touches help families stay strong, stay close, and stay together — and our PAWS therapy dogs simply represent that care in the most joyful, tail-wagging way possible.

The Inspiration Behind This Year’s Holiday Card

The holidays are a season of togetherness, comfort, and heart. For our 2025 card, we wanted an image that captured the warmth inside our House, the joy our volunteers bring, the connection families feel, and the magic of being together even during difficult times. Cooper, Ceili, and Winston, dressed in festive cheer, were the perfect ambassadors for that message.

Inside the card, we share a wish that guides our work all year long:
“Wishing you a season filled with love, comfort, and the kind of joy that reminds us all what truly matters — being together.”

Thank You for Helping Us Keep Families Close

Every meal, program, and moment of care — including PAWS visits — is made possible by people like you. Because of your support, families facing the hardest moments of their lives don’t have to face them alone.

You help create comfort. You help create connection. You help keep families together. Thank you.

Learn more about how our programs support families through the toughest days, and how PAWS visits play a special role in bringing joy, comfort, and calm to our House.